As god as my witness, I will never be hungry again!

We grew our own food! ... If you count one tomato and one lime. (No, the lemon isn't ours. Blast!) Jeff and Marco picking the tomato (singular).

Please note the "progress" in our backyard. The fence, people, the fence! And our two potted life sources... tomato (still singular) and basil.

And just in case our backyard oasis doesn't pan out, Jeff made these individual Chicago-style pizzas.

Little Farm

Go here. That's all I can say. Little Farm in Tilden Park is just the cutest little spot. It's free, but BYOC - that is, bring your own celery (or lettuce) to feed the animals. Ducks, chicken, turkey, geese, goats, cows, sheep and rams. They even brought out goats and calves for petting.

He's been before, but this time Marco really loved it! I didn't take any pics because his beautiful date Willa took a little spill and was camera shy. Luckily, Marco likes tough ladies.

Here are some photos of Marco NOT sharing his Diego ball with Willa in the park afterwards.
Note: If you do decide to go, it's on the Berkeley side, far from the tunnel side. The opposite end from the Carousel and the Steam Train. I don't know why that place is so mysterious and directionally challenged.

Prom 2026

Flash forward to prom 2026 when all the good dates are taken and Marco has to take his friend's dumb little sister.This post in no way reflects the intelligence of Olive or our respect for her family.

Four More Years

Four years ago today we were partying on Catalina Island. We'll never forget that day. Thanks to our families that made it possible and special. Thanks to our friends that made it fun and memorable (depending on how much you remember.)
Thanks to my wife for being so great. I love this family we started that day.

More Lake shots.

Cute.

Backpack. Backpack. Backpack. Backpack.

I'm the Backpack
Loaded up with things and nicknacks too
Anything that you might need I got inside for you.
Backpack Backpack Backpack Backpack
YEAH!

We picked up this little gem for 50 cents at a garage sale and Marco LOVES it. I don't know if it's his Dora obsession or maybe he's just a sucker for a good deal.

I was not anticipating the meltdown (complete with tears) when I had to take it off to get him in his car seat. "NOOOOOO! MY BAAAAACKPAAAACK!"

As long as he wants to wear it everywhere, I threw in some diapers, wipes, snacks and a cup. Cute little pack mule.

Love at first sight.

Baby's first drinking fountain. Gulp.

A Trip to The Zoo

I mean, that would explain all these caged animals right?

Maco and Neeto

Marco couldn't believe his good fortune that Nikos came to spend the evening with us this week. And Niko didn't seem at all worried that the last time he stayed over, he woke up to a little sister. :)

Nikos showed his t-ball prowess by whacking the ball and taking off running, "RUN BASES!" Marco squeals and chases him until Niko slides into "home" and make his own call, "SAFE!" Marco slides too of course, but it's more like someone being shot. First an awkward fall to his knees, followed by a belly flop and lots of laughing.

Niko definitely felt the pressure of eating with Marco. Jeff and I kept saying, "Look at Marco eating. Wow." (That part wasn't fake, it really is amazing.) Niko kept up, saying "Me too." Don't tell his parents but I let him dip everything in ketchup including crackers and a cookie. Ha. Jeff almost lost it.

They had a great time, got filthy, ate hot dogs, took a bath and went down very easily in the same room. Silence, until through the monitor, Jeff and I heard...

"Night night Maco."

"Night night Neeto."

Silence.

Maximum Occupancy Record

We didn't achieve the record for total people at the cabin, but I think the kid record and kid-to-adult ratio record were blown out of the water.
More here.

Chubby Thighs

Starting when Marco was a baby, I could always get him to smile and giggle by pinching his thighs and saying "chubby thighs, chubby thighs!" Enter my favorite new Marco saying when I try to tickle him...

"No chubby thighs Mama!" HA!

Here are some giggles for you. (Sorry, the video is a little choppy.)

Summer lovin'

He loves the sand. He loves the water. He loves "splash." But most of all, he loves his $6.99 Walgreen's lifevest.

Want me to take that off? "Nooooooooooooo!"

Supervise me!

Longtime friend, SI alum, LMU grad, wine aficionado, food connoisseur, teammate and all-around great guy Mark Farrell is running for San Francisco District 2 city supervisor! Pass on the good news to your District 2 voting friends.

Join the effort here... http://www.markfarrell.com/

Bye Bye Grandma! Bye Bye Papa!

While Jeff and I headed to the Islands for my parents' future reality TV show (you're hearin' it), Marco spent the weekend with the cousins (check out visits with Clara and Joey & Tommy) and Grandma and Papa.

Papa says it only took a few hours to discern Marco's talking. And as always, Marco came away with a new nugget. This visit he picked up, "GO GIANTS! Go Giants Basketball!" Well, close enough. See Jeff''s Facebook page for that video.

He was so sweet when we arrived to pick him up. He immediately gave hugs and kisses to Grandma and Papa, grabbed our hands and said, "Mama, Dada, I want walk. Bye Bye Grandma!! Bye Bye Papa!!"

Proof of Grandma and Papa adventures:

Thanks for the babysitting everyone - truly a group effort!(The monkeys.)

I love Dammy.

"Grammy" started as "Monny" and recently became "Dammy." Marco loves his Dammy's house.

Hmmm... think my Mom is going to kill me for this pic?

Cat naps

The ability to have a quick nap anywhere. Marco continues to display how obviously he favors his mother.